PARLIAMENTARY

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 537, 6 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY

I FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, September 5.

My last.telegram stated my impression respecting the intentions of the stonewallers, and also the determination of the Canterbury and Otago members to support j the Bill and allow no alterations. It was well known that the Speaker by virtue of liia office could interfere and put down the obstructionists, but as provi.-ion was not expressly made for this on the Standing Orders ho refrained from taking the heavy responsibility on himself untilthe obstructions became intolerable. After lie took action it was amusing to sop how careful members were in their choice of words. Mr Gi.sbiirne stood forward as s martyr, and go censured and fined £20. - Mβ thought to raise the question of the right of tlir Chairman of Committee to refuse to pi* the question "that the Committee report progress," and failed,.for the only question to be decided by the House was whether he (Mr Gisborne) had been '■ disorderly " iv refusing to submit to the ruling of the Chairman. Tho majority, I stated in my previous telegram, would be upwards of twenty. It would have been a good deal more than that, but for the sympathy of personal fiicnds by Mr Gishorne. Members sineoi Friday evening have been kept closely to the question, and in consequence the Bill passed through committee without much waste of time. The third reading ia now being discussed temperately, and there is every probabiliry of the Bill passing through the remaining stages to-night. Sir G. Grey will make a final effort to-night, I understand, but the interest which attached to the previous- opposition to the Bill is gone, end;Dow the feeling , , I believe, ia only one of weariness. Members from the southern districts have made some self-sacrifice by abstaining from speaking. No doubt they would like very much to show their constituents that they had something to say on Ihe subject, but I think they prefer to assist in passing the Bill rather, then to do anything to cause delay, and no doubt their constituents will thoroughly understand this. Everything is very quiet here MOW.